Meet the team
Heather Blaney
Nugget 42-PU
Corbin Doades
Mykehla Stangle
Nugget 42-PU
ESA 911 Dispatcher | Calm Companion | Community Educator
🦨
Born in 2020 in Indiana, Nugget the Skunk was domestically raised and lovingly de-scented, making him a friendly and safe ambassador for ESA 911 Dispatchers.
Nugget began his official ESA 911 Dispatcher career in December 2021 with Knox County Central Dispatch, proudly serving until January 2025. During that time, he became a beloved part of the dispatch family — spending his workdays (and nights!) perched on laps, catching naps between calls, and offering gentle cuddles and calm to anyone who needed comfort during tough moments.
Beyond the dispatch center, Nugget has traveled across the country visiting 911 centers, conferences, and community events, helping to educate both children and adults about when and how to call 911 and the vital role dispatchers play in every emergency.
Nugget’s cheerful personality and message of calm have reached audiences far and wide — he’s even been featured on television, podcasts, and media stories celebrating his work as an ESA 911 Dispatcher and his mission to bring awareness and compassion to the 911 world.
Whether he’s curled up during a late-night shift or greeting kids at a community event, Nugget reminds everyone:
“Stay calm, stay kind, and help is on the way!”
Heather Blaney
Founder of ESA 911 Dispatchers, LLC | 911 Dispatcher | Nugget’s Mom
Heather Blaney is the proud founder of ESA 911 Dispatchers, LLC and the loving mama of Nugget the Skunk, the nation’s first emotional support skunk for 911 dispatchers.
Heather began her dispatching career in September 2021 with Knox County Central Dispatch in Indiana, and has since gained experience working in multiple centers as a traveling 911 dispatcher. Her journey has given her a deep understanding of the pressures and triumphs faced by emergency communication professionals across the country.
Growing up in a Navy family, Heather moved often and never felt truly grounded — an experience that shaped her adult life and inspired her passion for mental wellness and stability. Through her own challenges, she learned the power of calm connection — a mission now embodied through Nugget and the work of ESA 911 Dispatchers.
Beyond her dispatching and advocacy work, Heather is also a devoted mom to four children — three adults and one teenager — whom she loves deeply. Her family keeps her grounded, inspired, and grateful for the simple joys that balance the intensity of life behind the headset.
What began as one skunk offering quiet comfort at a dispatch console has grown into a movement of compassion, education, and community. Heather continues to advocate for both mental health awareness and the healing bond between humans and animals, reminding everyone that calm can be shared, one cuddle at a time.
“I never expected Nugget to be loved by so many. Seeing the 911 community embrace his calm spirit truly melts my heart.” — Heather
Mykehla Stangle
Junior Heroes Program Director | Kids Corner Manager| 911 Dispatcher
My name is Mykehla, and I’m a 911 Dispatcher with Knox County Central Dispatch. For the past two years, I’ve proudly served as the calm, steady voice that connects those in crisis to the help they need most. Every day behind the headset brings a new challenge — and a new opportunity to make a difference when seconds truly matter.
Before my journey into emergency communications, I worked as a hog farmer. It was an honest, hardworking life, but everything changed the day I met Heather, who introduced me to the world of dispatching. That chance meeting sparked a passion I never knew I had — one built on helping others, staying calm under pressure, and giving back to my community in a deeply meaningful way.
As a dispatcher, I’ve come to understand that this career is as much about heart as it is about skill. It takes empathy, quick thinking, and emotional strength to stay centered while guiding someone through their worst moments. Whether it’s coordinating lifesaving help or providing reassurance until responders arrive, I take pride in being that vital link between emergencies and hope.
Outside of work, I’m a mother of three wonderful children — Marlianna, Hansen, and Waverly — who inspire me daily to be the best version of myself. I teach them to love and respect our emergency services, to talk openly about mental health, and to understand that real heroes come in many forms — often unseen, sitting quietly behind the radio. They’ve even joined me at community events where we spread awareness about 911 and safety.
Mental health is especially close to my heart — not only for the public but for first responders as well. The work we do can be heavy, and supporting one another is essential. I’ve had the privilege of taking Nugget, our emotional support skunk, to numerous events where we connect with kids and families about safety, emotional wellness, and what 911 is really for. Watching children’s faces light up while learning something important reminds me why this work matters.
I’m proud to wear the headset at Knox County Central Dispatch and to serve alongside some of the most dedicated professionals in public safety. For me, dispatching is more than a job — it’s a calling. It’s about compassion, community, and connection. Whether I’m behind the console or out in the community with Nugget and my kids, I strive to inspire others to see the heart behind the headset — because every voice, every call, and every moment matters.